671
Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
(413)-458-2494
ruraland@wrlf.org
(413)-458-2494
ruraland@wrlf.org
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671
Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
(413)-458-2494 ruraland@wrlf.org |
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ABOUT US
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The
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a private, non-profit, member-supported
land conservation trust. It was founded in 1986 to address the loss of
open space and public access, the disappearance of family farms in the
Williamstown area and to encourage responsible development. We hold 10
conservation restrictions on a total of 247 acres of land and monitor
these properties annually. We own 430 acres of land and assist in the
management of an additional 460 acres.
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Spring Serviceberry blossoms |
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HOW
WE WORK
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| The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation identifies and preserves special natural areas by working with private land-owners. For these land protection projects a variety of methods are used, including conservation restrictions, direct gifts, and the sale of partial or full interests in the land to state agencies. The WRLF also works to encourage responsible development by assisting in community planning and affordable housing projects. We also involve the community in planning for the future through education and outreach. | ||
| The Taconic Mountains and the Hopper |
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WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
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| The WRLF has helped to preserve over 3500 acres of farm and forest land, including the Petersburg Pass Scenic Area, the Haley Farm in the Hopper (now a part o the Mt. Greylock Reservation), the Phelps Farm in South Williamstown and our own scenic and historic Sheep Hill. We also have provided three conservation-minded home sites totaling 27 acres while preserving 70 acres of open space and have collaborated with Habitat for Humanity to create two new affordable houses in town. |  |
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Sheep Hill from Bee Hill Road |
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WRLF
Mission Statement
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| The purpose for which the corporation is formed is to: |
| • Promote appreciation of natural resources in the Town of Williamstown and environs and to stimulate education and research; |
| • Preserve the natural environment by acquiring by gift or purchase natural, scenic, open and rural lands in Williamstown and environs; to identify those lands and to act as an informational clearing house in cooperation with appropriate groups, individuals or both; |
| • Identify and preserve ecologically sensitive land and to create protected wildlife habitats; |
| • Promote land development which is beneficial to the community and to encourage development of housing which will help promote economic diversity of citizenship in Williamstown; |
| • Raise funds to further the objectives of the organization. |
| Statement of Philosophy |
| Recognizing the pressures on land use and also recognizing the rights of individual property owners, we believe that it is imperative to preserve and maintain the rural New England character of Williamstown and the surrounding area for present and future generations. Change is inevitable and it is the foundation's aim to influence its direction to benefit all members of the community. |